ISKRA ~ SELF-TITLED DEBUT Vinyl grading - Excellent Sleeve grading - Excellent Various pictures uploaded, sleeve close ups, front and rear, disc - apologies for any tripod reflection - and a view of the label details. The pictures are part of the description, too, look them over... 'During the course of their nine year run from 1977-1986, New York based Iskra was one of the most popular and influential Ukrainian dance bands in North America. In 1979, their self-titled debut album served as a calling card for the music one might hear at an "Iskra" dance (zabava), wedding or stage show appearance. Ranging from sentimental post World War II standards such as "Hey Ha", by Ukrainian tango king Bohdan Wesolowsky, to 60's pop hit "Try Trembity", by legendary Ukrainian composer Myroslav Skoryk, the album showcases Iskra's signature three part harmony vocals and distinctive interpretations of Ukrainian folk songs, as well as three original compositions by band members Oles Kuzyszyn ("Ty Moya" and "Sumerk") and Jaroslaw Palylyk ("Spomyny Lita")...' Released on - Iskra Records Catalog number - AK 279 US issue. Produced by - Iskra Duration - 40 minutes, approx. Matrix numbers - Side One - AK 279 A MP 22 DBH Side Two - AK 279 B MP22 DBH Please read the record grading guide below and familiarize yourself with the grades used. Goldmine standards adhered to, plus full description in all aspects. I strive to grade fairly, and have never sold a record without listening to it first. Visual grading is not an option at all. This 43 year old LP I have graded as being in Excellent- condition. Both sides play through with no jumping, skipping or any other audio horrors, with minimal surface noise to report. The sleeve I have graded being in Excellent- condition with no shelfwear of note. The labels are in good condition, with no major defects, light spindle wear, see close-up pictures uploaded. The inner liner is plain. Tracklisting - See pictures uploaded, track titles and details shown. Any questions, email and I'll help if I can. Original late 1970's music of Ukrainian origin, a lively mix of traditional and Western, with some pleasingly lively bass guitar playing to move things along in a sprightly manner... Thanks for looking! :o) Buy-it-Now, $42.50 Postage - USA - Free Shipping...nice! Overseas orders welcome - $24, wherever. * Records are posted in dedicated record mailing boxes with 2 corrugated cardboard stiffeners. GRADING GUIDE. (Goldmine Standard) * Gradings range between - for example - VG, VG+ and VG++. In some cases, for example again, VG- may be used. MINT (M) Absolutely perfect in every way. Often rumored but rarely seen, and if it is not just out of the pressing plant it is unlikely that, personally, I would ever use this grading. NEAR MINT (NM OR M-) A good description of a NM record is it looks like it just came from a retail store and it was opened for the first time. In other words, it?s nearly perfect. NM records are shiny, with no visible defects. Writing, stickers or other markings cannot appear on the label, nor can any 'spindle marks' from someone trying to blindly put the record on the turntable. Major factory defects will be absent. If played, it will do so with no surface noise. NM covers are free of creases, ring wear and seam splits of any kind. VERY GOOD PLUS (VG+) or EXCELLENT (E) A good description of a VG+ record is except for a couple minor things, this would be Near Mint. VG+ records may show some slight signs of wear, including light scuffs or very light scratches that do not affect the listening experience. Slight warps that do not affect the sound are OK. Minor signs of handling are OK, too, such as telltale marks around the center hole, but repeated playing has not misshapen the hole. There may be some very light ring wear or discoloration, but it should be barely noticeable.VG+ covers should have only minor wear. A VG+ cover might have some very minor seam wear or a split (less than one inch long) at the bottom, the most vulnerable location. Also, a VG+ cover may have some defacing, such as a cut-out marking. VG++ is a step up from VG+ generally. VERY GOOD (VG) Many of the imperfections found on a VG+ record are more obvious on a VG record. VG records lack most of the original gloss found on factory-fresh records. Groove wear is evident on sight, as are light scratches deep enough to feel with a fingernail. When played, a VG record has surface noise, and some scratches may be audible. Minor writing, tape or a sticker can detract from the label. They remain a fine listening experience, just not the same as if it were in better shape. VG covers will have many signs of human handling. Ring wear in the middle or along the edges of the cover where the edge of a record would reside, is obvious, though not overwhelming. Some more creases might be visible. Seam splitting will be more obvious; it may appear on all three sides, though it won?t be obvious upon looking. A small pen or ink mark, or an original price sticker may be noticeable. GOOD (G), GOOD PLUS (G+) or VERY GOOD MINUS (VG?) Good does not mean bad! The record still plays through without skipping, so it can serve as filler until something better comes along. But it has significant surface noise and groove wear, and the label is worn, with significant ring wear, heavy writing, or obvious surface damage to the label. A Good to VG cover has ring wear, has seam splits obvious on sight and may have even heavier writing. POOR (P) and FAIR (F) Records that have obvious damage, they are cracked, impossibly warped, or skip and/or repeat when an attempt is made to play them.